Saturday, July 13, 2013

Arthritis in cats is not a common problem, as it is in dogs. Its veterinary title is known as feline osteoarthritis, or feline degenerative joint disease. It affects the cartilage of the joint, rather than the joints themselves. But as the cartilage wears away, the joints can rub together.

Arthritis in anyone commonly occurs years after a joint injury. The joint may swell up causing pain. This leads to lameness or stiffness. Naturally, the cat will be less inclined to move about. Certain areas may be painful to touch.

Cats are less likely to suffer with a genetic inheritance of arthritis than dogs are, unless they have been inbred. But environmental factors do play an important role in whether or not they will develop it. Toxicity comes high on the list.

It is normally older cats or overweight cats who are the ones who are most prone to suffer. This is not inevitable. It isn't age that is the problem per se, so much as the accumulation of toxins, that cannot be eliminated.

The two most common culprits of toxicity in the life of the majority of domestic cats are the processed commercial cat food and the veterinary medication.

Let's examine each in turn.

Commercial cat food is made by corporations. Corporations have one aim and one aim only; to make money. This is true across the board, whatever area they are in. Honestly, quality, integrity and ethics do tend to get in the way of maximum profits, so are limited, discarded or skated over.

The ingredients that are used in commercial cat food are of poor quality, with cheap food that is unsuitable for cats, laced with a chemical cocktail to stimulate the appetite, to colour, to flavour, to preserve, to hide.

Veterinary medication, as with human medication, does not aim to cure arthritis in cats, or any other condition. Instead, it can only manage the problem by suppressing the symptoms.

In doing so, it adds to the already burgeoning toxic load and lowers the immune system. This compounds the problem.

Past medication, including vaccines, may have lead to this problem simply by overloading the cat with toxins.

So why do people unwittingly create a problem for their cat? It's not that most people are gullible; it's more that children are brought up to respect authority without question. As a result, the world is dominated by people who can't think for themselves, but obey what they are told, especially if that person is held in high social regard.

Start to question for yourself. Start to look for causes yourself. You have as much ability to work problems out as the next person. Don't allow the opinions, however common, of others to sway your better judgement.

Arthritis in cats can be prevented if the cat is fed a good quality, natural diet. And it can be cured by adding in to this good quality homeopathic treatment.

To find out more about natural and healthy choices, click on the link below.

Knee pain is a truly common complaint for seniors and the Emotion Code is one of the things that can help it. Knee pain is something that does have many causes. However, it can be handled with good self-care. Seniors can experience knee pain for various reasons. Some of them can be attributed to arthritis, knee injuries, tendinitis, bursitis, and the list goes on.

What is the binding tie for all of these ailments is that they can be painful and crippling. The Emotion code is indeed a way to help out. What is the Emotion Code? It is a healing energy technique that helps identify and release any emotions that are trapped within yourself.

Arthritis is an inflammation that does happen in one or multiple joints. It is also called joint inflammation and there are well over one hundred kinds of it. The most common type of arthritis that takes place in the knee is called osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is also known by other names and some of these include degenerative joint disease or wear and tear arthritis.

Arthritis of the knee usually happens to people over the age of fifty, and it tends to be more common in those who are overweight. It is believed that this specific type of arthritis can have a genetic connection and be passed down in families. The symptoms of knee arthritis include stiffness, range of limited motion, swelling present in the joint, and a person may experience pain doing activities.

Knee pain in seniors and those younger can be brought on by the presence of various injuries to the knee itself. Some of these injuries are ligament injuries and cartilage injuries. Ligament injuries usually occur while doing some form of athletic activity and they can create instability and pain. Cartilage injuries happen to both the old and the young. This is also called a meniscus tear.

There are many things that cause excruciating knee pain and some of the conditions are a dislocated kneecap, bursitis, plica syndrome, baker's cyst, patellar tendonitis, and gout. Pain from these injuries and negative energy do not have to live with you in everyday life. The Emotion Code might be the very thing to deal with these issues.

Knee pain does not have to be tolerated by seniors with the assistance of the Emotion Code program. Trapped emotions are definitely bad for a person from a physical, mental, and emotional standpoint. Therefore, refuse to trap yourself by applying this system to begin healing. Trapped emotions are just like the wind. They are invisible, but you can still feel their effect. These negative effects can take control of your life. Free yourself of their presence for good.

Many who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis are now considering going through detox programs for treatment. Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disease whereby your immune system mistakes your own body tissues as invaders. Actually, your immune system turns against itself primarily due to toxins that get accumulated over a period in time. Detox programs have been reported to be more effective in pain relief for rheumatoid arthritis than osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis has been found to not respond to detox programs as well as rheumatoid arthritis.

Detox programs for rheumatoid arthritis facilitates the cleansing of your bowels, kidneys, lungs, liver and the blood. It is necessary to detox as waste accumulates in your body through polluted air, smoking, or if you consume processed foods that contain preservatives. These toxic wastes cause damage and create problems such as hormonal imbalance, inefficent metabolism and impaired immune function. When these waste collect in your body, your rheumatoid arthritis worsens with increasing pain and stiffness at your joints. Detox programs for rheumatoid arthritis target these toxic waste elements in your body and help to eliminate them.

An excellent way to detox is via juice fasting. Natural health experts recommend that you should take vegetable juices instead of fruit juices, if you have arthritis. The high sugar content in fruit juices would have otherwise raise your blood suger levels and causing a corresponding increase in the insulin level.

Initially, when you consume vegetable juices, you may find it hard to drink up because the taste is not sweet. However, you should slowly build from drinking one ounze to ten ounzes at a time.

The detox programs for rheumatoid arthritis work by providing anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients to your body. They enable your digestive system and excretory system to eliminate toxins released by the body during metabolism. Detox programs also tend to speed up the growth of new cells, which promotes healing. You will feel a surge in energy levels as well as have enhanced mental clarity.

Before you embark on any detox programs, it is best that you first consult with your health care provider. You want to make sure that you are ready to understake this program. Also let him know what medications you are on currently. You will also need to be under the guidance of a natural health expert if you have a specific aim in mind for your detox - in this case, it will be to reduce the pain arising from the severity of your rheumatoid arthritis.

Arthritis is believed to be the oldest discovered body pain ailment of mankind. Scientists have even found this disease in the joints of some dinosaurs and even mummies!

The term arthritis means "joint inflammation." While there are several-hundred forms of arthritis, the most common are Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Regardless of type, common arthritic symptoms include pain in the joints, redness and swelling of the joints and loss of joint function. The pain of osteoarthritis gradually worsens with use over the course of the day, whereas the pain of rheumatoid arthritis tends to be worse on waking and improves as the day progresses.

Despite advances in medical science, the best arthritis relievers are the natural ones. Safe care, no side effects. While store shelves are stocked with the popular arthritis supplements, here are three powerful supplements you may not have heard of but have been shown to relieve arthritis body pain and inflammation.

Hydraflexin

The development of Hydraflexin began by accident years ago when a brilliant and well-respected researcher at the University of Chile, Dr. Juan Hanke, was a hired by a pharmaceutical company seeking a cure for the common cold.

During his research, he came across a rare herb called Andrographis Paniculata-a plant with a long history of use in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine. Dr. Hanke discovered that at higher dosages, Paractin (the patented, standardized extract from Andrographis) actually helped reduce inflammation and pain-not just colds. That is because your immune system is not just about preventing colds or the flu, it also helps control inflammation signals sent throughout your body.

Research shows that the Paractin in Hydraflexin works directly on the immune system and enables it to block certain inflammatory chemical signals-the very signals that cause arthritis pain. The evidence is overwhelming. For instance:

According to The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Paractin (the same amount in Hydraflexin) reduces the abundance of chemical cytokines that cause inflammation which leads to pain.

Paractin stimulates "PPAR-Gamma," a little-known protein in your cells that works to slow down and smother inflammation. But researchers were also shocked when they saw that increased PPAR-Gamma also reduced C-Reactive protein-a dangerous marker of inflammation and heart trouble-by up to 40%!

Chinese Patent Herbal Medicines

Traditional Chinese medicine has a log history of herbal remedies. The 400 most popular of these formulas have been prepackaged into "patent herbal medicines." Two of them are especially good for arthritis.

Kang Gu Zeng Sheng Pian can be taken for a wide variety of joint and bone syndromes, such as: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatism and general joint and tendon pain. Another formula, Juan Bi Tang, is effective for arthralgia caused by cold and/or dampness. Symptoms can include pain in the neck, back, shoulders and arms, difficulty in movements, numbness in the hands and feet. It is especially good for treating the symptoms of osteoarthritis, bursitis, fibromyalgia and sciatica.

While these formulas are effective and safe, they require a licensed herbalist or acupuncturist to properly diagnose the condition and determine the quantity one should take over what period of time.

Some types of pain are caused by obvious problems; sprains, fractures and the like usually have a memorable moment that causes it. Other types may need the doctor to define. Rheumatoid arthritis often attacks small bones like those in the hands and wrists. While most of the treatments are similar, there may be some important differences.

Arthritis: There are several different types of arthritis, but the most common three are gout, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. All three can affect the hands and wrists. They also have three different causes and require some different steps to treat it.

Gout is caused by an uric acid crystals in the blood. When the crystals become too heavy, they get dropped off into joints. While the first attacks are usually centered in the feet, they can occur in any joints. Changes to the diet are one of the many steps to preventing frequent flare ups. Cherry juice and nonaspirin anti-inflammatory medications can also help.

Osteoarthritis is caused by injuries and general wear and tear. Topical pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications are often suggested to deal with this problem. Capsaicin is a good option, as it can turn off the pain signal going to your brain. An extraction of willow bark and gotu kola may also provide some relief. Those allergic to aspirin should avoid willow as they contain the same active ingredient.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disorder and is best treated by your doctor. Many home remedies can interact with either the disease itself or the medications for it.

Carpal Tunnel: Nerves to the hand run through the carpal bones in your wrist. Repetitive motions such as typing, checkers at the market and others who perform the same tasks over and over again for hours at a time are at risk for developing carpal tunnel syndrome. This translates to an inflammation of the nerves running through the bones.

These nerves have no place to swell, and produce a bevy of uncomfortable sensations. Symptoms may include pain, a tingling sensation (pins and needles) and difficulty moving the wrist and hands. Getting treatment as soon as possible is important if you want to avoid surgery. This could include wrist braces, physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medications. Topical pain relievers may also be of benefit.

Injury: Sprains, strains and breaks are usually noticed when they occur. RICE is the most often recommended first step after diagnosis. This stands for rest, ice, compression and elevation. Topical pain relievers such as capsaicin and willow bark may be useful, and anti-inflammatory medications (including willow) will probably also be suggested.

Tendonitis: Tendons connect your muscles to your bones, and are found in every part of the body, including the hands. Like carpel tunnel, repetitive motion may cause the swelling, as can other types of injury. If you have this problem, you will need to rest your hand until the swelling goes down. Ice and medications to reduce the swelling are also a good idea.

You may need your doctor's help in figuring out exactly what is causing your pain. Be sure to tell the doctor what you've been doing that could be a problem, as well as any medications, supplements or herbs you are on. This way, harmful interactions can be prevented.

This is the common perception of Knee Osteoarthritis in our country where Primary Hip Osteoarthritis is rare. However in the recent past, it has been realized that not only are the elderly at definite risk of Osteoarthritis but many more of the middle aged and even young. Osteoarthritis is the commonest form of joint disease (arthritis) and is a leading cause of disability in older individuals in India and many countries. It is the common perception that wear and tear inevitable with aging alone leads to Osteoarthritis, but this is not the whole truth. As we shall see not only the elderly, but others are also vulnerable to Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) in peripheral joints, most frequently involves the knee joint, and the disease may affect one or more of the three compartments of the knee. The knee joint acts to transfer force from the thigh muscles to the leg to move the body. Loads exerted on the surfaces of the knee during normal daily activities are two to seven times the body weight. It is therefore no wonder that the knee is so vulnerable to wear and tear (Osteoarthritis). Osteo-arthritic changes in the joint decrease the effectiveness of load transfer during these activities. Overall health is impaired and Knee OA has been to shown to account for more limitations in walking, stair climbing or other daily activities than any other disease. The form of the disease in the elderly is called primary osteoarthritis whereas the affliction of the young and middle aged is called Secondary osteoarthritis. Let us take a look at the risk factors for developing secondary osteoarthritis, which encompasses other age groups of people in the general population.

These are of two categories, General or systemic and local risks.

General risks

Evolution

Man along with two more mammals, the Elephant and the bear are the only animals to have straight knees. Evolutionarily straight knees are invaluable to minimize energy expenditure during walking so that the body does not tilt from side to side as it would do if the knees were bent in a two legged creature. The price or side effect of the erect posture is weight transmission occurring through the inner half of the knee joint. Therefore the inner half of the knee is susceptible to wear in the normal course of time.

Genetic factors

These play a major role in a generalized form of the disease known to affect some communities and families. Research is on to identify the exact genetic location that increases the susceptibility to OA.

Diet

Many degenerative diseases like Osteoarthritis are the result of tissue damage from "Free Oxygen radical" attack. Normal cartilage cells are known to reduce free radicals. Anti oxidants such as Vitamin A, C and E have the potential to protect against such tissue damage. It was found in a study that people consuming High amounts of Vitamin C have a 60- 70 per cent reduction in risk for progressive OA. High vitamin C intake levels were also found to be associated with a reduced risk for knee pain according to the same study.

Vitamin D plays an important role in bone mineralization. Results from the above study show that high levels are protective against progression of disease.

Bone mineral density

About three decades ago surgeons removing the head of the upper end of the thigh bone from elderly patients with hip fractures in the operation of partial hip replacement, observed that the end bone rarely showed arthritic changes. Since then, many studies have confirmed the inverse relationship between Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis. Currently research is on to determine if the medicines prescribed for Osteoporosis such as Calcitonin and Bisphoshphonates prevent the x- ray changes of OA and prevent cartilage breakdown.

Female hormonal deficiency (estrogen)

The incidence of Knee OA increases in Post menopausal women suggesting that estrogen deficiency might be a risk factor and that post menopausal women are more susceptible to osteoarthritis. Despite the obvious correlation, more research is needed to understand the relationships between bone mineral density, estrogen and OA. As females are the preponderant sex to suffer from OA knees, Female specific Knee implants or Prostheses have been developed for a Total knee replacement as the majority of people (two thirds) undergoing a knee replacement are women.

Local risk factors

Obesity

Increased body weight contributes to the increased load transmitted across the weight bearing knees by a factor of three to seven times the body weight and leads to accelerated wear of the articular cartilage. The relationship between obesity and Osteoarthritis is stronger for bilateral than unilateral disease and is greater in women than men. Since the load transmitted to the knees varies between three to seven fold the body weight, one fold reduction of weight leads to a three to seven fold decreased pressure on the knees. In addition the knee alignment may affect the impact of body weight on the knee joint. Knees with bow legs are more stressed by body weight resulting in more severe inner compartment arthritis.

Physical activity

There is no evidence that participation in light or moderate levels of physical activity (walking, running, dancing, cycling, gardening, and outdoor sports) throughout the life cycle will increase an individual's risk of developing knee OA. This means that even middle aged people can safely participate in these activities without risk of developing osteoarthritis.

However participation in high intensity contact sports is strongly linked to development of knee OA in elite athletes. Many tennis players, runners, professional soccer players are more likely to suffer from knee arthritis and Patello-femoral OA than age matched controls.

Occupational activity

Men in occupations that require repetitive overuse of the knee joint for example, carpenters, painters, miners, dock workers have an increased risk of developing knee OA. Crouching, kneeling, squatting, climbing stairs and lifting heavy loads all cause abnormal joint loading across the knee joint and lead to cartilage damage. The risk factors are similar in both men and women.

Injury

Several studies in Europe and America have confirmed that knee injury is a strong predictor for the development of knee OA. Most Knee injuries involve the ACL (Anterior cruciate ligament and ACL rupture is often associated with meniscal damage or a tear in the medial collateral ligament. ACL injuries occur after two wheeler accidents, domestic and outdoor accidents. Both ACL deficiency and meniscal rupture are strongly linked to early degenerative arthritic changes. Although at present it is not clear to what extent the common operation of ACL reconstruction can delay the onset of arthritis, some studies show that early ACL reconstruction with meniscal preservation and not menisectomy provides the greatest protection. A poor outcome after knee injuries is seen in patients who have undergone a partial or total menisectomy an operation which is commonly performed by surgeons. Meniscal suture and Meniscal transplant are ways to protect against osteoarthritis. The former operation is available but the later is yet to kick off from early teething problems. A meniscal transplant facility was announced in Chennai last year but supply of grafts has not been forthcoming.

Mechanical environment of the knees

It is easy to comprehend how any joint or bearing can wear out quickly by understanding what happens to your car tyres if the alignment and balancing is not perfect or if the pressure is more or less. The treads on the overloaded portion of the tyre wear out more. The same analogy applies to the knees. Knees which have a bend like the one shown in the picture will wear out faster. Increased joint laxity an accompaniment of age contributes to OA.

Muscle strength

It is a well known observation that people with OA have weakness of the quadriceps muscles. It was assumed that decreased muscle strength is the result of disuse atrophy secondary to knee pain; however it has been noted recently that many patients with asymptomatic knee arthritis have weak muscles. Therefore it makes sense to develop the thigh muscles to prevent arthritis or ameliorate the symptoms after its development, but is to be noted that increasing muscle strength will not arrest progression of the disease.

In summary Knee Osteoarthritis once considered an inevitable consequence of aging is now recognized to be multi-factorial, resulting from the interaction of a variety of general and local factors like age, genetic predisposition, obesity, trauma and mechanical properties of the joint. The traditional surgical treatment of OA "a total knee replacement" is the best long term cost effective solution. However other operations like an osteotomy to correct the alignment of the bones around the knee, ACL reconstruction, cartilage surgery, medications are available to different affected groups of patients. They will not condemn the patient to developing Osteoarthritis in earlier age and become a candidate for a total knee replacement.

Friday, July 12, 2013

In ancient times, food was the original medicine. There are hieroglyphs in the tombs of Egypt showing doctors healing patients with herbs, spices, honey and other food. Back then, their food wasn't tainted with pesticides and chemicals like ours is today.

Food affects EVERYTHING in your body and therefore must impact your arthritis symptoms. Think about it. Was there a time when you were trying to get healthy or lose weight and you were following a strict eating plan? Lots of fruits and vegetables, lean meats, not a lot of fat? And didn't you feel really good during that time? Your energy probably soared, your GI tract worked well, and you probably noticed things like your skin and hair looked a little better. Low glycemic eating is the ultimate meal plan to naturally decrease inflammation and increase your overall health. Let's look at it as the ultimate arthritis diet.

Low Glycemic just means that these foods won't cause blood sugar levels to soar after you eat (which, if you also have type II diabetes will make your doctor very happy). The reason I recommend low glycemic eating as the ideal arthritis diet is because all food eventually gets turned into blood sugar. High blood sugar levels cause inflammation. Since arthritis is inflammation of the joints, we want to help your body naturally decrease inflammation so you get relief.

When you eat bread (or pasta, or rice, or a donut, or a potato) your blood sugar spikes quickly. Your body releases insulin. Insulin's job is to take that sugar OUT of your blood and get it INTO your cells.

Here's where it gets a little technical... have you ever seen a car rust because it's exposed to sea air or snow? That's called "oxidation." It's a natural process caused by oxygen reacting with a metal. When we eat, breathe, sleep, whatever - just by living - we constantly have "oxidation" going on inside us. It's almost like rusting on the inside. That blood sugar spike from that potato and the insulin release after speeds up that oxidation and creates "free radicals". (You've heard of those before, right?) Those free radicals cause chaos in your body; they damage cells, they harden arteries, and they cause inflammation (and arthritis symptoms are caused by inflammation).

But if you can slow down the blood sugar spike and the insulin release, you can slow down the oxidation (rusting on the inside) and the inflammation.

The glycemic index is a system that rates how fast a food causes blood sugar levels (and insulin secretion) to rise. The higher the number, the faster it causes blood sugar spikes. A glycemic index (GI) of 70 or more is considered high, 56-69 is considered medium, and 55 or below is low.Some foods like carrots have a high GI rating because they have natural sugars. In cases like this, where the food is inherently healthy (natural, raw, unprocessed, etc.) the trick is to eat smaller portion sizes to keep them from affecting blood sugar. (In the case of carrots, have one big carrot or 10 baby carrots at a sitting - not 4 big carrots or 40 baby carrots!)

I recommend you eat only low glycemic foods for the first month of your arthritis diet. This is your life and if arthritis is keeping you from being active and doing the things you love, then one month's time is a small price to pay. At the end of that month, you'll have gotten rid of many of your cravings anyway, and you might find the arthritis diet is easy and you like it.

I have provided lists of low, medium, and high glycemic foods on my website, and there are lists available all over the internet. Pasta, 100% whole wheat bread and brown rice are included in the low glycemic list. THEY ARE ONLY LOW GLYCEMIC IN THE PORTIONS INDICATED. You don't have to worry about counting calories with this eating plan, but you DO need to watch your portions when it comes to the grains.

Here are some definitions for you:

Carbohydrates - anything that originally grew in the ground. All your grains, fruits, beans, and vegetables fall in this category. So do most nuts, but because of their fat content, nuts are considered fats (but HEALTHY fats!)

Fats - Butter, oils, nuts, avocados (also a carbohydrate but it counts as a fat). Fats break down to saturated (are solid at room temperature) and unsaturated (liquid at room temperature). The unsaturated fats are ideal in an arthritis diet. I use Extra Virgin Olive Oil almost exclusively in my cooking, and the natural fats found in certain fish are excellent for joint health. Try to eat fish two times a week as it's also an excellent protein source.

Here's how a day eating low glycemic might look:

Breakfast:

2 eggs scrambled with 1 teaspoon of olive oil and eaten with salsa and 1/4 avocado1 cup of strawberries or melon5 baby carrots

Lunch:

Chicken salad on 1 slice whole grain bread with tomato and lettuceSalad with balsamic and olive oil vinagretteAn apple with a tablespoon of peanut butter

Snack:

1/2 cup cottage cheese with a peach or plumor1 piece of string cheese with an orange and a handful of almonds or cashews

There are all kinds of things that can cause knee pain, from simple sprains and strains that will heal up in a matter of a few weeks, to painful, chronic conditions. One chronic condition that is extremely painful is rheumatoid arthritis, which causes inflammation and pain in the knee joints. As a rule, arthritis affects both knees, so sufferers can't even say that they have a "good knee".

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is actually an autoimmune disease, and it causes the joints in the body to be pretty much constantly inflamed. In addition, the tissues around the joints, and even some organs, can be affected by this disease. Rheumatoid arthritis can be found in patients of any age, and can have varying degrees of severity. Over time, patients with arthritis will find that their joints may deteriorate, and they will have less and less range of movement. In many cases, patients with chronic arthritis can go many years before their symptoms begin to cause real suffering, but, in most cases, the disease will flare up at some point in time.

Currently there is much research being done to discover what actually causes rheumatoid arthritis. There are a number of possible suspects, but nothing has been proven thus far. It is possible that infections and illnesses that lower the immune system may play a part in the development of rheumatoid arthritis, but again, this is just one possibility.

How to Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Knee

There are many non-surgical treatments that have been proven to be quite effective for a number of patients with rheumatoid arthritis in the knees. Often, it is recommended that patients take anti-inflammatory medications, which may be prescription-strength or over-the-counter. Lifestyle changes can also play a large role in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in the knees. Because the knees carry a lot of weight, being overweight can aggravate any condition of the knee, including rheumatoid arthritis, so it is a good idea to lose some of the extra weight. A healthy diet and exercise plan can go a long way in treating this type of condition. Often, physicians will recommend that patients with rheumatoid arthritis in the knees visit a physiotherapist, where they will be taught specific exercises that are meant to help keep the knees functioning properly. A lot of patients also use heat therapy, as well as compression with a knee brace, for stability and pain relief.

There may come a time when arthritis cannot be successfully treated non-surgically. At this point, the patient will often need to undergo knee replacement surgery. This is where the damaged part of the knee is removed, and replaced with a prosthesis. This is a very common procedure, but it does require a few months of rehabilitation time.

Although it is an extremely painful condition, arthritis in the knees doesn't have to mean that all of the patient's activities must be limited. It is better to remain active and to follow the orders of their physicians. As long as they are giving their knees the proper treatment, they will be able to deal with arthritis much more easily.

Millions of people who suffer from arthritis find daily living quite difficult since their mobility is impaired. Some people find it a hard time to do routine tasks such as writing, grasping, reaching for objects, typing, cutting with scissors or walking a short distance very frustrating due to the swelling or inflammation in the joints brought about by arthritis. Sadly, arthritis afflicts the elderly who are left alone to attend to themselves while doing household chores or pursuing interests such as gardening. Good thing there are available products that make the life of arthritis sufferers easier and more tolerable. Many types of arthritis products suit different purposes and needs.

Popular arthritis products are assistive devices. These devices are created in mind for people with disability such as individuals who are moderately to severely debilitated by arthritis. For example, people with arthritis have difficulty in grasping objects which is a risk when it comes to using the toilet. Products such as bath handrails, hand held mirror, bath transfer bench, raised toilet seat riser, shower seat and commode with safety rails and bathtub rails were created to make bathing safer for people with arthritis.

Arthritis products also include mobility aids that are extremely beneficial for people with arthritis. Mobility is an issue for most people with arthritis, products such as cane holder, gel hand pads, wheel chair hand grips and wheel chair backpacks add ease and convenience to those who use the wheelchair or crutches.

While normal people find getting out of bed an easy task, those with arthritis find this very challenging especially if they are on their own. Mobility aids such as bed handles, transfer handles, bed rails provide superb support for those who need to get out from bed as well as try to lay down in bed. Some arthritis products also include personal alarms so the elderly does not have to shout all the time whenever he needs some help or assistance.

Even silverware are now designed for those with arthritis. Adaptive silverware are also a type of arthritis products that helps the person eat conveniently using flatware suited for those who have hand arthritis. Even can openers and jar openers were crafted to suit the needs of people with arthritis.

Indeed, arthritis products makes life more easy, efficient and practical for people with arthritis.

Patients who suffer from "ankle arthritis" are actually dealing with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis which has settled in the ankle joints. A lot of pressure is put on ankle joints, because they bear the brunt of the entire weight of the body. When you pile all of your weight on sore joints and take a step, there's bound to be pain. What's worse, ankle joints are ball joints which rotate in all directions, so the cartilage will deteriorate even faster than in other joints.

Ankle Pain Stemming from Other Causes

Never just assume that any pain you have in your ankles and feet is being caused by arthritis. These pains can be caused by many different things, including lower back and hip problems. Before just shrugging your shoulders and thinking, "Its only arthritis", make an appointment with your doctor for an exam. Only then will he be able to tell what's causing your infirmity.

The rarer diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis can be made by taking a simple blood test. If you are diagnosed with the more common osteoarthritis, it may mean that you'll be facing a regimen of intensive treatments for the rest of your life.

Sprained ankles are fairly common and cause sufferers a lot of pain, even more so that an actual break. To treat a sprain, doctors will prescribe 'RICE'. No, not the stuff you eat. In this case RICE means:o Rest - and give your ankle a chance to heal.o Ice Compression - use cold compresses to reduce inflammation and pain.o Elevation - keep the leg raised to lessen swelling and pain.

You may be able to tell if you have ankle arthritis by watching for the following symptoms:o Recurring pains without a reasono Swelling and stiffness suddenly occurringo Pain remedies won't stop the pain and stiffnesso A big toe that's very painful and wants to turn to the sideo Bunions that hurt badly even when not being touched

When a person first develops ankle arthritis, simple OTC pain medications will probably be all the treatment needed. The disease is incurable, though, and will progress over time. It may get to a stage where your doctor wants to treat the condition much more aggressively.

If you've tried everything looking for relief from arthritis pain, you may want to do what many others have done, and try some form of home remedy. Doctors and the FDA frown on such practices as herbal medicines and yoga, but there are a lot of people who swear by the treatments claiming they have stopped the progression of the disease and even caused some improvement.

Skin is known as mirror of mind and that is the reasons why many people attribute skin maladies to imbalance on mental and/or psychological plane. There is lot of awareness about treatment of skin maladies these days. Many people believe that for permanent cure of skin problems, homeopathy can offer wide hope without suppressing the skin diseases. There are certain principles while treating skin diseases in homeopathy. Let's see-

(1) Skin diseases are ought to be due to internal disturbances and therefore should be treated from inside out.(2) As per homeopathic principles, the external applications should not be prescribed to these patients as far as possible, as this will mask the presenting symptoms and never will therefore lead to permanent cure.(3) The causative factors of skin disease are of utmost importance. They might be related to mental and/or psychological imbalances pertaining to some grief, loss or mental agony.(4) Only constitutional remedy that is chosen with the help of evaluating the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of the patient will be able to impart lasting relief for the patient.

Eczema: Characteristic signs and symptoms of the eczema must be considered and also the aggravating and ameliorating factors. Many times a causative factor is found in suppressed skin eruptions in childhood. So, history taking is obviously the crucial tool.

Acne vulgaris: This is by far the commonest skin conditions we come across in day to day practice. Almost all patients come to us after trying one or two local applications containing various harmful chemicals those further dry their skin. Well, it is true that excess of oil production by the sebaceous glands is to be blamed for acne but one cannot ignore the inherent traits and miasmatic blocks those lead to recurrent acne breakouts. Long lasting improvement can be elicited by homeopathic acne treatment and also acne scar treatment when totality of symptoms is taken into account.

Psoriasis: This can be called as one of the major domains of homeopathy and we daily encounter lots of patients with significant improvement with their psoriatic patches. Our stressful lives and instant lifestyles have added to increasing incidence of psoriasis, though the exact cause is not known. But there are patients who may trace it back to some instance in life like "death of husband" since when it started or "I had a severe bout of asthma when I was given high doses of steroids after which these patches started developing" etc. Also aggravating factors like winter aggravation or aggravation after eating sour food may be observed, depending upon which a homeopath formulates his prescription for complete cure. Even for psoriatic arthritis and nail changes, homeopathic remedies work marvelously to harmonize the deranged vital force.

Sunburns: whether it is severe sun burn or moderate type of darkening of skin due to sun exposure, homeopathic remedies will help you restore your skin complexion. No wonder homeopathy is one of the valuable tools in today's cosmetic industry as well. Various remedies like Thuja, Causticm, cantharis, etc help a great deal in maintaining healthy glow to your skin. After the initial treatment with internal medicines, some extraordinarily beneficial ointments like Witch Hazel cream can be used for further adding to the glow.

There are many other conditions like allergic dermatitis, urticarial rash, nappy rashes, lichen planus, and vitiligo those find permanent cure in homeopathy. We will see some of them in next few articles.

Chillies have been used for medicinal purposes for over 6,000 years by the Indians of the areas in and around Central America.

Following their discovery by Columbus in 1492 and the subsequent distribution around the world, they were soon used as a natural medicine by the cultures that adopted them. Why, because 500 hundred years ago the only medicines were those that could be sourced from the local environment, or traded from another environment. There was very little distinction between food and medicine. This is something we are now starting to understand more and as a result we are seeing a reversion to natural medicines and therapies.

Modern medicine and science is now starting to validate many of the anecdotal health properties assigned to chillies and discover a number of potential new uses as well.

These range from treatments for arthritis and circulatory disorders through to potential cures for heart disease and cancer.

In the next few pages we'll review historical and current knowledge on a number of issues and how chillies may be used as a cure or preventative.

While I am not a medical practitioner of any type, and do not pretend to have that level of knowledge, I hold a Bachelor Of Science degree with Honours (Flinders University, 1991) and have worked for two years as a St Johns Ambulance officer, trained to Emergency Care & Transport certification. As a result I can at least sort out the facts from the hype and present you with solid information for you to discuss with your medical advisor.

In this article I'll look at chillies and arthritis management.

The value of capsaicin (the heat compound in chillies) as a pain reliever is well known and acknowledged by modern medicine as well.

First, A Bit Of Science

Capsaicin produces much of it's beneficial effects on the human body primarily by interacting with neuropeptides; incomplete proteins in the body that perform a number of different functions.

There are three well studied neuropeptides that interact with capsaicin and these are calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), neurokinin A (NKA), and substance P.

These neuropeptides are produced when capsaicin sensitive nerves are stimulated by the presence of capsaicin. The neuropeptides transmit signals to the brain resulting in a physical reaction - pain is one of these results.

Now, with respect to arthritis sufferers, this is where things start to get interesting.

These capsaicin sensitive nerves can only produce neuropeptides at a certain rate. When the nerve is depleted, it is no longer able to send pain messages to the brain. This is why capsaicin is effective in controlling pain.

Now, don't start thinking that you can go out, rip your clothes off, and rub yourself all over with a habanero and all your troubles are over. Not that simple.

The depletion of neuropeptides from the nerve is only temporary, ranging from a few minutes to a few days depending on the amount of capsaicin the nerves have been exposed to.

Before I get onto using capsaicin to manage pain, we should just quickly discuss how it actually kills 'two birds with one stone' in regard to arthritis.

Studies by neurophysiologists in the USA have shown that one of the neuropeptides, substance P, also decreases the production of prostaglandin and collagenase, the effect of which is to reduce inflammation.

There have also been smaller, less well documented studies done that indicate substance P may also contribute to cartilage breakdown. At this point we will leave this as a side note and see if we can locate more information.

How To Use Capsaicin

Unfortunately, for those of us who love chilli, it's not simply a case of having a nice curry every night to treat pain. Though don't let that stop you.

Very little capsaicin gets into our systems by ingestion - it get processed by the liver and that's the last we see of it.

Most of the non-human medical studies are conducted by injecting extremely high doses of capsaicin directly in to the veins. Inherently risky and not something we will explore further.

Capsaicin does work well in topical creams, i.e. creams rubbed onto the area where the pain exists. The capsaicin does penetrate to the area of inflammation and pain and work as a pain management tool.

There are a number of commercially available creams containing capsaicin in varying amounts, many of them containing Glucosamine Sulfate as well. Bio-Organics Glucosamine Rapid and Cenovis Osteo-Relief are a couple of examples from the larger players in Australia.

The creams come in a range of strengths, usually from 0.25% to 0.75% capsaicin, and doctors suggest you begin with the lower concentrations and work you way up. This is primarily because many people also get a burning sensation on the skin in the area in which the cream is applied. As a result, many people stop using it, however, if you persevere the sensation will disappear after a few days. Once you are used to the low level cream, increase the strength to get a greater effect.

You may also wish to wear gloves when applying the cream to avoid the effects on your hands and accidentally rubbing it in your eye later on.

The pain relieving effect is not instantaneous, but builds up over time. Many people get results in two or three days, but some have taken up to five weeks. I'm old enough to remember watching American stuntman Evel Knievel trying to motorcycle jump the Grand Canyon; and pretty much anything else that was stationary. He now swears by capsaicin cream to ease his aches and pains (he presumably has at least a few), and actively promotes one particular brand in the USA.

As with everything else we discuss under this Chillies & Your Health section, please consult with your medical advisor before using any sort of new treatment.

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Reiter's syndrome, also known as seronegative spondyloarthropathy or reactive arthritis, is a combination of symptoms involving the joints, eyes and the urinary tract. This condition is believed to be caused by a bacterial infection and is commonly associated with a genetic factor known as HLA-B27. This condition most often affects young men between the age of 20 and 40. Common symptoms include frequency of urination; burning urine; fever; chills; swelling and pain in joints and tendon insertions; conjunctivitis and uveitis; and rarely, ulcers on the penis, feet and hands, mouth ulcers, and heart disease.

Most people affected with Reiter's syndrome recover within a few months, though symptoms of arthritis may last longer. Ayurvedic medicines help to improve the therapeutic response, speed up the recovery process and prevent recurrence of symptoms.

It can be difficult to ease arthritis pain in some of the less common forms of the disease including psoriatic arthritis and juvenile arthritis. While many of the products on the market are designed to ease arthritis pain for those who suffer from osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, few products are specifically geared toward lesser known forms of the disease. As a result, those with these lesser known forms have to experience painful joint after painful joint with little media and commercial attention.

Psoriatic Treatments

Psoriatic arthritis seems to be primarily hereditary. Scientists have noted that more than fifty percent of sufferers had a family history of the disease. Moreover, in identical twins, if one twin has this form of arthritis, it is seventy-five percent likely that the other twin will suffer from the same problem. In order to ease arthritis pain like this, you will have to work closely with a doctor, as it presents very differently than most arthritis pain. You will probably have to undergo extensive medicinal therapy to keep your level of movement at its present state. Because there is currently no known cure for this form of arthritis, managing to ease arthritis pain in this case will mean taking some NSAIDs, discussed in a number of other articles on this site. It will probably also mean some physical therapy.

Juvenile Treatments

This is perhaps the most heartbreaking form of arthritis. While it is extremely rare, finding a way to ease arthritis pain in this case is tough. It usually involves surgery and mobilization of the joint, as well as some therapy and medication. NSAIDS are usually prescribed by the doctor as are steroids in many cases. The outlook for these patients is usually good, but in some rare cases, children will need treatment throughout adulthood to ease arthritis pain.

If you have ever known anyone that has suffered gout, you have probably heard horror stories of sudden severe pain in their big toe, or crystal formation on the top of their ears, along with painful and inflamed joints. Gout can occur anywhere in the body, and usually lasts 3-12 days. It is estimated that between 2 and 5 million people suffer from Gout, a condition that in most cases can be alleviated and prevented by natural means. Gout accounts for about 5% of all types of Arthritis, and is most common in men over the age of 40. Once alleviated, it may take months or even years to return, with each subsequent time potentially becoming worse. Simple changes in lifestyle and diet, as well as other naturally remedies can help Gout sufferers, as well as contribute to preventing Gout.

Gout is an arthritic type that is characterized by pain and inflammation in joints. It is caused when Uric Acid levels increase in the blood and is called hyperuricemia. Gout is mostly caused by increased dietary intake of purine-rich foods, such as red meat and High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS). Studies show that 75% of Gout sufferers will experience sudden redness, swelling, and sudden pain in their big toe, caused when uric acid crystallizes in your joints. The body then causes tissue inflammation to protect the joint, ultimately leading to excruciating pain for many people. When uric acid levels rise in the body, other health conditions can develop, including elevated cholesterol, hypertension, kidney stones, heart disease, and diabetes.

The most effective natural ways to rid of gout is to modify your diet. This includes lowering blood sugar, which can significantly lower inflammation levels in the body. Studies suggest that by simply lowering blood sugar gout risks can decrease up to 85%. Recent research has indicated that men who drink 1 to 2 sugary drinks per day have an 85% more likelihood of developing gout than those who drank 1 sugary drink per month. The best way to lower sugar is to eliminate HFCS from the diet, which includes all soft drinks and sugary beverages. Replace it with 10-12 glasses of water per day, and feel free to add a little bit of lemon juice to it. By increasing hydration and water consumption, this will help flush uric acid in the body. Add more exercise, as this allows circulation to increase, and again using the body's natural talents of circulation by stabilizing insulin levels. Research has also shown that exercise helps to increase your immune system, blood flow, and can decrease risk factors for diabetes.

Sorry folks, but alcohol can be a contributor to gout, and eliminating red wine and alcohol is imperative. Although red wine has many benefits towards health, this is one instance where it is best to avoid consumption. Alcohol causes dehydration, and for Gout sufferers, it can elevate insulin and uric acid levels, which can contribute to the onset of diabetes and gout.

Two fantastic ways to counteract and prevent Gout is to increase intake of persian cherry juice, or "tart cherries", and to consume celery seed. These cherries contain powerful phytochemicals called anthocyanins and bioflavanoids, which help prevent arthritis and gout, and can be found in most organic food stores. Persian cherry juice is very pure, containing up to 50-60 cherries per ounce, and contains less sugar. Celery seed help clear toxins and uric acid crystals from the body, and is an exceptional anti-inflammatory. Celery seed also helps to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Both can be found in your local organic food store. If one were so inclined, strawberries, a variety of other berries, and Nutmeg have also shown to have anti-inflammatory properties useful for gout.

Many conventional medications and over the counter NSAIDS have shown to help Gout sufferers. The only caveat is that many prescription and over the counter medications can incur a variety of side effects, including gastrointestinal problems and bleeding, diarrhea, nausea, headaches, rashes, dizziness, weight gain, fatigue, breathing issues, kidney and liver problems among many others. Because Gout can continue throughout the duration of one's lifetime, many people choose to take natural routes to prevention and relief, as opposed to consuming drugs for gout throughout their entire lifetime.

Gout can be a painful and debilitating condition, and there are 5 great ways to prevent and relieve these symptoms. This includes 1) increasing exercise, 2) eliminating high fructose corn syrup, fructose, sodas, sugary drinks, desserts, breads, and other sugary foods, 3) eliminating foods rich in purine content such as red meats, sardines, anchovies, and yeast from the diet, 4) reducing alcohol consumption of beer, red wine, and other alcoholic beverages, 5) increasing intake of tart cherries, strawberries, Persian cherry Juice, other berries, and celery seed, and 6) increasing water intake to flush uric acid. By making healthier choices throughout your life, many of these adverse health conditions can be avoided. So goes the famous saying, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

There are several different types of Rheumatoid Arthritis alternative treatments available today. Dietary changes, physical therapy, holistic treatments, and other natural therapies are often used. More women get Rheumatoid Arthritis than men and the disease often presents itself between the ages of 25 and 55. Rheumatoid Arthritis is a form of Arthritis that causes pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of function in the joints, usually in the wrist and hands, even though it can affect any joint. Many RA sufferers prefer to try alternative treatments instead of taking a lot of pharmaceutical medications that also have side effects.

Using an alternative treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis can be healthier for the body. Some of the dietary methods include adding plenty of wheat and fresh foods to the diet. For some people, eating greater servings of wheat and eating fresh foods can actually help cause their Rheumatoid Arthritis to go into remission. Not every natural alternative works for every one the same way. Then there are the different natural oils such as fish oil which contains high amounts of omega - three fatty acids that the body needs in order to perform well. One of the benefits of fish oil is that it can help to reduce inflammation.

MSM is also a natural supplement that is good for several different areas of the body such as the skin, nails and joints. MSM is a favorite not only among many people who suffer with Rheumatoid Arthritis, but those who suffer from various diseases and even injuries that involve the joints. Another natural way to help relieve the pain, stiffness and lack of mobility that is associated with the condition, is through physical therapy. There are many therapists who specialize in working with RA patients. Most health care professionals will have suggestions as to what type of physical therapy may provide the most relief. However, massage therapy and chiropractic adjustments have helped some people and are worth exploring as a natural way to treat the symptoms.

Holistic treatments that include homeopathy and herbal applications are used by a growing number of people who wish to avoid medicinal treatments for symptoms. There are many natural health care providers that can provide a natural treatment plan that uses many of these options. While none of these natural supplements, dietary additions, physical therapy treatments and holistic options are guaranteed to cure RA, many patients have found that certain treatments have helped them a lot and can possibly help steer the disease toward remission. Before using a Rheumatoid Arthritis alternative treatment, it's best to consult with your primary health professional so that there are no conflicts in treatment plans.

Illnesses in which the defense mechanisms problems your own balanced cells, forming antibodies in an assault on incorrectly determined "foreign intruders."

Auto-immune conditions happen when your defense mechanisms loses its ability to recognize the differences between self and nonself cells. Our body then builds antibodies to harm its own cells and parts, which ends in a variety of different conditions. Some of these become chronic health issues and may lead to death.

Two of the earliest health issues determined as auto-immune conditions were systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and osteoarthritis. Today more than 40 conditions are classified as known or probable auto-immune conditions. It is estimated that auto-immune diseases affect between 5-7% of the population. Most begin during or soon after puberty, or when a person reaches his or her forties and fifties. They happen twice as frequently in women as in men.

Rheumatoid osteoarthritis happens in people of all ages, and is the most common auto-immune problem. Child osteoarthritis (JRA) impacts over 65,000 kids and teenagers in the United States, or about 1 in 1,000. In this problem, the defense mechanisms problems the synovium, a membrane surrounding the joint parts, resulting in discomfort, bloating, and firmness. Like other auto-immune conditions, osteoarthritis is usually episodic, flaring up regularly, subsiding, and then recurring.

There are three distinct types of JRA, differentiated by their severity and by how much of the human is influenced. Pauciarticular beginning JRA involves fewer than five joints; polyarticular beginning JRA impacts five or more joint parts on both sides of the body; and wide spread beginning JRA impacts a lot of joint parts and other parts as well, such as the lungs, liver, liver, spleen, and lymph nodes. Child osteoarthritis is treated with a combination of medication and treatments. The medication of choice are NSAIDS (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), especially discomfort killers in huge amounts. Actual treatments includes a variety of exercises designed to keep the muscles near the influenced joint parts strong and flexible, avoid them from getting shorter, and avoid bone problems. JRA goes into lasting remission by late puberty or beginning adulthood in approximately 75% of kids suffering from the illness.

Another serious auto-immune problem that impacts kids is Your body, also known as juvenile beginning diabetic issues because indicators usually appear in beginning puberty. Form two diabetic issues, the most prevalent form of the illness, usually begins in middle age. Diabetes happens when the pancreatic does not generate enough of the hormonal agent shots, which the demands to process the glucose levels sugar, a crucial power source. The situation was first determined as an auto-immune problem in 1988, when researchers discovered that it is caused by antibodies that harm the insulin-producing cells in the pancreatic. Its beginning is now thought to be linked to a genetic temperament combined with a virus or another Stressor. In Your body, the destruction of shots is so severe that shots of the hormonal agent are necessary. The signs of juvenile beginning diabetic issues involve extreme desire, frequent urination, increased appetite together with sudden weight-loss, becoming easily irritated, exhaustion, and nausea. Moreover to daily shots treatments (which must be continued for life), treatment of diabetic issues needs monitoring of the level of sugar in the bloodstream, which must also be regulated by adequate exercise and certain dietary measures. Too much sugar can harm the eyes, liver, and other parts, and it also presents the risk of a diabetic coma. Too little can generate shots shock.

Rheumatic nausea, which primarily impacts kids between the ages of four and 18, is an auto-immune problem that happens following a strep illness, such as strep throat or scarlet nausea. The antibodies produced to fight the illness harm balanced cells in the center, joint parts, skin, and neurological program. Due to the widespread use of medication to combat strep infections, rheumatic nausea is rare in western world. Symptoms involve nausea, discomfort and bloating, muscles aches, a rash (possibly intermittent) on the trunk and limbs, nodules in the joint parts, scalp, or spine, and twitching legs or arms. If the neurological program is influenced, there can also be emotional movements, muscles weakness, and skill problems; however, these indicators are short-lived and temporary, and do not cause lasting harm. Rheumatic nausea usually takes between one and four several weeks to develop following a strep illness and lasts from two several weeks to three months. If the cells of the center are red-looking, a situation known as carditis, this can cause lasting harm to the center valves. Once rheumatic nausea is diagnosed, medication are administered if there is still an active strep illness. Moreover to anti-inflammatory medication such as discomfort killers, a child whose center is suffering from the illness may be given steroids to reduce inflammation and avoid lasting center harm.

Another auto-immune problem that can impact kids is epidermis psoriasis, often displaying in puberty or young maturity, although about 10% of situations happen in kids under the age of 10, and it can even appear in birth. Psoriasis is due to the extreme growth of certain epidermis tissue known as keratinocytes. Its main manifestation is the overall look of red, brought up areas of epidermis known as plaques, usually found on the head, hand, feet, hands, feet, back, and genitals, but can happen anywhere, and may cover up to 80% of the body. When epidermis psoriasis starts in birth, it most frequently seems to be in the nappy area. In many situations the plaques cause serious itchiness and pain, but they may also be easy. The claws of up to one half of kids with epidermis psoriasis are also influenced, becoming rough or displaying other changes. In addition to physical irritation, epidermis psoriasis can cause great psychological problems due to its effect on the person's overall look.

There are more than 100 different types of arthritis. Arthritis is a term coined from the Greek, "arthron" meaning joint and "itis" meaning inflammation. Characteristically, the signature signs of arthritis include swelling, heat, redness, and pain.

Of the many different types of arthritis, gouty arthritis is the one most often associated with lifestyle. Picture the jolly fat old man with the swollen foot up on a pillow. In fact, one notable person who fits this description was Benjamin Franklin, a known gout sufferer. While this is the perception of the gouty patient, it is probably wrong. While gout preferentially affects men, it is also relatively common in postmenopausal women, particularly those who are taking thiazide diuretics.

Gout is a disease due to the deposits of monosodium urate (uric acid) crystals in joints and other organs. Although joints are the most visible areas where gout makes its presence known, gout also attacks other organ systems with potentially devastating consequences.

With proper diagnosis and therapy, it remains one of the few curable types of arthritis. While medicines play a major role in the proper management of the disorder, gout also responds to dietary and other lifestyles changes.

One lifestyle modification that is critical is maintenance of normal body weight. There is an association of gout with certain metabolic problems, such as obesity, diabetes, elevated blood lipids, and hypertension. This constellation of symptoms is often referred to as the metabolic syndrome.

Some studies have indicated that caffeine may be protective. The extent of protection is probably mild at best.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

If you're suffering with pain from osteoarthritis (not rheumatoid arthritis) or as most call it - arthritis, in the knees you may not know that exercise will help and especially the right exercise. Arthritis experts, arthritis doctors, rheumatologists, physical therapists and other health professionals have been recommending exercise for arthritis for years to help relieve pain.

However it was little known until recently that research proves that the right exercise can help and be more effective than any of the most potent arthritis drugs or medications. The long accepted approach to relieve arthritis pain has been more of a temporary fix and not a solution at all for getting to the source of the joint problem.

Losing weight and the right diet are as important or if not more so than this one exercise I'm about to reveal to you. In any event you don't want to make your arthritis worse or cause any joint damage. You should check with your doctor first before starting any exercise program, even if it's just one exercise. Every knee arthritis situation is different.

One of the most important things to remember is that the research has shown that if you have arthritis in the knees you likely have weakness in the thigh and hip muscles. These muscles won't help you properly by absorbing stress and other forces when you go about your day, considering all you do with your knees. So your knees will not be protected because your surrounding muscles are weak.

So you want to strengthen your thigh and hip muscles to help protect your knees and knee joints.

Okay so what is the best exercise if you're only going to do just one exercise for your knees? It's a modified squat. This is simply a modified version of the squat. Not a full squat which is about 90 degrees. It's a good exercise because it is the same movement you would use if you were getting out of a chair. It also strengthens the thighs and hips.

You have to be careful not to go over about 45-50 degrees (visualize a quarter of a circle and 45 degrees would be half of that) when you bend down when you do it. If you do it can make your symptoms worse. As you bend down, arms in front hanging down, feet spread apart, make sure your hips are behind the heels of your feet so there is less stress on your knees, keep your hips back but make sure your knees are not in front of your toes. Have a chair or counter close by in case you need to hang on or prevent a fall.

Keep your body upright so your hips and thigh muscles work harder. Only let your back arch a little bit. This exercise can be done throughout the day and work up to more with your doctor's okay. This exercise can help anyone who needs to build up their hip and thigh muscles including those with rheumatoid arthritis.

One should never really do a full squat even if they don't have (osteoarthritis) arthritis in the knees. So give this modified best exercise for arthritis in the knees a try and see how it helps. I suffered with arthritis in my knees for years until I changed my diet to raw foods many years ago and cured myself of arthritis and finally got the knee pain relief I needed. I wish I had known about this easy exercise then it would have helped with my recovery faster. Hopefully it will help you.

Thousands of Americans are living with pain in their joints, suffering with Arthritis. It doesn't have to be this way. Western medicine offers little beyond narcotic pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs. However there is a very effective alternative to this plan of treatment.

Many find permanent relief with modalities offered from Ayurveda. Ayurveda is the worlds oldest continuously practiced form of medicine in the world, originating in India.

Here are three tips to get you started with Ayurveda, and get you on the road to pain free living.

1). Determine your "dosha". In Ayurveda, each person is treated according to their own individual constitution, or body/mind type, called your "dosha. Determine your dosha with an Ayurvedic practitoner, or with a book on Ayurveda, there are many available. Once you know your dosha you can then determine which type of arthritis you have. There are two types in Ayurveda and the treatment methods are based on this. Vata-type arthritis has different symptoms and treatments than Pitta-type arthritis.

Western medicine doesn't address this fact and thus, your treatment plan is very likely not the right one. This is why so many people continue to take more and more drugs bit still live with pain every day.

2) Follow a dosha pacifying diet. Vata types may have too much dryness in their body and should follow a lubricating, vata pacifying diet to restore balance and healing. Pitta types may have too much heat in their body and should follow a cooling, pitta pacifying routine. These will help to bring the opposites qualities of the disease into your body, restoring harmony, putting you in the best place for the body to self heal.

Getting a knee arthroplasty or joint replacement is expected by a lot of people to be a solution to their mobility problems. However, it seems that there is a certain group of people that have not regained the full range of motion that they had expected after surgery. This condition is generally termed as stiffness of the replacement joints. The duration of stiffness after total knee replacement has not been extensively written about, though there are available solutions to correct the condition.

Osteoarthritis and Knee Replacement

An indication that a patient needs knee surgery is when he or she has a developing osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a combination of various conditions that result in the continuous degradation of the joints. The joints are protected by a material called the cartilage, the same material the visible part of the ear is made of. A series of forces contribute to its thinning out, causing the joints to become closer and will eventually cause pain whenever in contact.

This is especially true to the knees, since they have to stand the weight of the entire upper body and the legs. Running, walking, or even standing becomes very difficult to a person with osteoarthritis. If therapy and medication cannot help anymore, the joints are replaced by artificial mechanisms that mimic the function of the knee.

Why Does the Stiffness Happen?

There are several factors that could lead to the stiffness. One is the actual built quality of the artificial replacements. Though the replacements have been rigorously tested prior to shipping in various medical facilities, there is still a big chance that a small portion may not have passed quality control measures.

Another culprit may be the lack of rehabilitation after the surgery. Usually, patients are asked to complete a series of physical exercises to retrain simple tasks such as standing up or bending the knees. At first, they are simply asked to do these exercises while in bed or sitting. Next, a physical therapist and railings or crutches provide assistance until complete motion is revived. If there is serious negligence on the side of a therapist or the lack of cooperation from the patient, stiffness of the knee will eventually occur.

How Long Does the Stiffness Last?

According to a recent study, it was found out that among people who have experienced knee surgery, only 1 percent have felt stiffness in their replacements. Most of them have also reported the issue earlier to their surgeons and they have performed certain corrections. Duration of stiffness after total knee replacement can last as long as the rehabilitation process of the patients. This can mean as long as three months or more, but most patients get full function of the knees by then.

Corrective Procedures

One way to shorten the duration of stiffness after total knee replacement is to massage the knees or have them moved by an expert while the patient is under anesthesia to remove the pain. This is usually part of the rehabilitation process already and ensures that the replacement is working perfectly.

If the stiffness can be discovered early on, surgery can be performed again to adjust the calibration of the joints or have them replaced altogether. According to the same study above, corrective surgery resulted to around 90 percent of patients getting back full motion of the knees.

A strict doctor ordered rehabilitation always follows knee replacement surgery. Unfortunately, this rehab is only enough to give you some mobility and get back part of your life. They don't expect people with knee replacements to have the full abilities like they once did, so they don't even try. With the right exercise and routines, though, you can have that life back, despite what the doctors tell you. Take the time to learn about rehabilitation from knee replacement surgery, and how you can ease your fear of living a sedentary life by taking action.

Gout is one of the types of arthritis which is most often caused by the increase in the urea content of the human body. Whenever the urea content increases in the human body there is a chance of crystal formation in the joints present in our body. This results in pain and swelling in the joints. Foods which have high amount of purines and proteins are the main reason for the problem of gout. Uric acid gets generated when the break down process of purines are done during metabolism. The foods that you take are directly responsible for the rheumatic disease like gout. So a balanced diet will help us free from gout. But if you already have a problem then you must be very careful about your food intake. There are many foods which cause gout and those kinds of foods should be avoided to lead a non-problematic life.

Almost all types of foods whether it is vegetarian or non-vegetarian will provide chances for gout disease. While considering the non-vegetarian food items inclusion of the following items might cause gout - red meats and its extract, some fishes like salmon, animal organ meats like liver and kidney, shell fishes, shrimp, prawns, meat products like pork, lamb and beef etc. The above mentioned food items are very rich in purines. The fact is that they are not only rich in purines but also sodium and nitrates. All the above components contained in it are very notorious in causing the attack of gout. Certain sea foods are also main reasons for gout attack. Some alcoholic beverages like beer, wine etc would give more chances of the attack. Beer must be avoided more than other alcoholic drinks because beer has around eight times the purines as of other alcoholic drinks. Even tea or some other flavored juices are also responsible for gout. These kinds of drinks must be totally avoided because living a healthy life is more important than one day's happiness of consuming alcohol.

In case of vegetarian food items there are also more items to be avoided or should be taken with a dieted limit. Mushrooms, spinach, cauliflower, beans and peas are some of the food items which should be taken in limited quantity. The above mentioned vegetables have more purines content than other vegetables. Believe it or not black eye peas have more amounts of purines when compared to chicken and turkey. The above mentioned vegetables must be carefully added into your diet following a recommended quantity. There are also some other variety of products which are also responsible for gout attack. The other varieties may include some junk foods, yeasts, smelt, sweet breads, coffees, chocolates, roasted nuts, pasta and jellies. The above mentioned junk foods should be totally avoided since those have more amounts of purines and proteins which will increase the possibility of gout. If you were to follow a diet program based on the above mentioned food items then you would on your way to obtain some relieve from gout.

If you are reading this article, chances are you or someone you know is dealing with pain associated with arthritis. If that is the case, then it is also likely that you have been scouring the web in search of ways to alleviate these sometimes debilitating symptoms. Even though there is no cure for it, there are many ways of either minimizing the flare ups or even stopping them before the pain can escalate.

Let us go over some types of arthritis, the symptoms, and some effective tactical approaches to a more pain-free life. The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis does not involve inflammation, it`s more of a degenerative joint disease. The weight bearing joints in particular simply wear out over time. This type of arthritis doesn't just afflict older people, it can be common among athletes as well. Baseball and tennis players (this sport is especially hard on the knees and elbows), golfers, pianists, and typists are susceptible to osteoarthritis due to specific repetitive and straining movements. But this type of arthritis can also develop as a result of an injury or trauma to an area which can ultimately cause the onset of osteoarthritis even years after the injury.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a more severe form of arthritis whereby knuckles and joints are visibly inflamed and can in extreme cases appear deformed. People who suffer from this type of insidious arthritis endure countless episodes and flare ups and painfully stiff joints. It has been shown that rheumatoid arthritis is a related to lupus which is characterized as an auto immune disease where the body is actually attacking itself.

Let us consider some proactive strategies that go beyond the conventional medicines and may likely increase their effectiveness as well. Many people are turning to mineral supplements to strengthen and perhaps regenerate bones and bone cartilage. Deficiency of these minerals can even lead to the eventual onset of arthritis. Some minerals that are linked to good bone health maintenance are: boron (a trace mineral), of course calcium (I prefer calcium citrate or coral calcium), magnesium (which balances calcium), zinc (which helps bone growth), copper (which helps to strengthen connective tissue), germanium (an antioxidant that helps with pain relief), and sulfur (which helps maintain ligaments, cartilage, collagen, and tendons). Some people swear by high quality liquid glucosamine and even use it for their pets suffering from arthritis.

I like the idea of helpful foods in dealing with combating arthritis. Omega 3 fatty acids found in fish and also fish oil capsules have been shown to be an effective anti inflammatory. Some of the fish that are high in these omega 3`s include: striped bass, anchovies, bluefish, herring, mackerel, sable, salmon, shark, sardines (eat the ones with the bones in for even more calcium), brook trout, and white tuna. Other inflammation reducing foods include asparagus, garlic, onions, pineapple, and cabbage. There are also foods to avoid that aggravate inflammation. On your no no list, put: eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, wheat and foods high in gluten, corn, beef, pork, eggs, dairy, fried foods, and sugary processed snacks. This might seem like a long list at first, but finding substitutes after a while might not turn out to be that difficult and will be worth it too.

There`s a lot of helpful herbs in dealing with arthritis, too many to list here. Just to skim the surface, I`ll mention celery seed. This spice and seasoning contains almost 2 dozen anti inflammatory compounds. Fresh ginger root, long known throughout Asia as being helpful to people with both osteoarthrits and rheumatoid arthritis is readily available. It reduces inflammation by blocking cyclooxygenate or the cox enzyme which kick starts joint swelling. In contrast to COX-2 medications (such as Celebrex and Ibuprofen), ginger root does not cause stomach irritation - but actually protects the digestive tract by increasing the blood flow which serves to control stomach acid. Two other herbs containing anti inflammatory properties which can be swallowed in capsule form or applied as a cream are Boswellia (also great for sprains and muscle strains) and Cayenne pepper whose active ingredient is capsicum. Use this cream sparingly as there can be a slight stinging sensation. A bath with Epsom salts has both anti inflammatory and anti arthritis compounds which can be absorbed through the skin. It also makes a very soothing and delightful bath.

A basic and common sense approach to everyday coping with arthritis is simply to protect your joints. By that I mean - do not remain in any one position for an extended period of time. A ten minute stretching routine should be done every day to keep limber and warm up the muscles and tendons. This will help to prevent muscles and tendons from becoming strained. Regular exercise can also reduce joint pain and stiffness. Exercising in water can make your routine that much easier. I hope my research on this topic has provided some new insight and hope for you. If it has, pass it along to someone else who could use the information. You can also have a peek at my site (see bio box) which further explores this topic.

While the media currently feeds a frenzy of excitement regarding the new arthritis gene therapy drug known as Tocilizumab, Hundreds of thousands of rheumatoid arthritis sufferers are offered new hope in beating there debilitating condition.

The new drug is being heralded as a mile stone in rheumatoid arthritis treatment following a trial in which nearly half of patients on the medication found their condition did not get any worse. Tocilizumab, which will be sold under the brand name 'Actemra' works in conjunction with an existing treatment, methotrexate, and is administered monthly in hospital.

In the trial, taking methotrexate on its own only stopped symptoms in eight per cent of patients.Combined with Tocilizumab, 47 per cent of patients saw their condition halted. The drug is still under review in the UK by Nice ( National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) but is it expected to gain its UK marketing license in January 2009.

Nice caused some controversy recently by ruling that rheumatoid arthritis sufferers could not switch from one form of a pain relieving drug to another if the initial treatment did not work. There are fears that Tocilizumab - which could cost up to £10,000 per annum - may not become available on the NHS and if it does become available will it be available to the masses and not just the few.

Study participants who took Tocilizumab also had a higher risk of serious infections compared to study participants who were treated with methotrexate alone or with a combination of a disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug and a placebo.

Dosage: unknown.During the same period the patient was treated with Klaricid, Iscotin, Ethambutol, Hydrochloride, Rifadin & Pyrazinamide, following the medication the patient was hospitalized. Patient unfortunately died on 02/19/2006.

Another reported Tocilizumab problem was reported by a Physician from Japan on Nov 30, 2005. a female patient, 53 years old, was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and was treated with Tocilizumab. After the drug was administered the patient in question experienced the following side effects: condition aggravated, hyperlipidaemia, hypertension, thalamic infarction.

Tocilizumab dosage: unknown

During the same period the patient was treated with Methotrexate, Predonine, Diclofenac, Misoprostol, Nifedipine, Arotinolol, The patient was hospitalized but later recovered.

These are just a couple of incidents which have been reported, however many more can be found if you Google Tocilizumab, of course, as with any medication, problems will exist due to their toxicity. Tocilizumab may be an excellent treatment for some, but perhaps not so for others.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

There are hundreds of glucosamine-containing products available on the market today. These products are sold for joint health, joint pain, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, most of the glucosamine products also contain chondroitin as a second ingredient. In this article, we address two questions about these products:

1. Is the chondroitin really necessary?

2. Are there alternatives to chondroitin we should consider?

Background

Ask anyone who has osteoarthritis, and they will tell you how painful this condition can be. But what is it? Simply put, osteoarthritis is caused when the cartilage between joints begins to erode and fade, resulting in painful bone-to-bone rubbing at the joint. The knees and hips are most commonly affected, but elbows, fingers, and shoulders can also be effected. Osteoarthritis is commonly experienced by retired professional athletes, or anyone who has repetitive motion over many years. Excessive weight over many years can also cause osteoarthritis.

Glucosamine has emerged as a dietary supplement to help deal with the pain associated with osteoarthritis. The logic behind its use is quite sound. Why? Because glucosamine is a building block of glycosaminoglycans, the major component of joint cartilage. Thus, by adding glucosamine in our diets via supplements, out bodies can take these building blocks and make more of the glycosaminoglycans our joints are losing from the disease. As a result, glucosamine can help relieve joint pain, and in some cases slow the progression of the disease.

What about chondroitin?

On the surface, the same logic holds for taking chondroitin. Chondroitin is also a component of cartilage. So taking chondroitin orally, especially along with glucosamine, should also help with joint health. However, there is a problem with this argument Namely, the amount of chondroitin that actually gets into our systems through oral ingestion is fairly low. Further, there is some, but not a lot of evidence supporting the notion combination of glucosamine and chondroitin is more effective than glucosamine alone. Our general advice is if you are already taking this combination, and if it is helping, then there is little point stopping or changing your joint health dietary supplement regimen. But this begs, two questions:

Do I really need the chondroitin?

Our general advice is if you are already taking this combination, and if it is helping, then there is little point stopping or changing your joint health dietary supplement regimen.

Are there alternatives to chondroitin?

Absolutely. There are two supplements that we think can provide your joint health supplement with the boost you may be looking for:

MSM, or methylsufonylmethane, gained in popularity around 2002-2003 for a number of ailments. More recently, several clinical trials have shown that MSM may help with both function and pain in osteoarthritis and other joint ailments.

Antioxidants such as Vitamin C are useful for a number of conditions. However, many common antioxidants, such as Vitamin C, are eliminated very quickly from our systems. As a result, they may not be as helpful as we would think. Ideally, we would like an antioxidant to "stick" to the joints to deliver antioxidant power directly where it is needed. Fortunately, there is a family of antioxidants known as proanthocyanidins. Extracted from red grape skins, proanthocyanidins are much more powerful than resveratrol. And, they can "stick" to collagen, delivering antioxidant power directly to inflamed and arthritis joints.

Enzymes, such as bromelain, are also a promising family of supplements for joint health, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. These are believed to work by naturally stimulating our immune systems to respond positively to inflammation...like calling the firemen to douse a flame!

Summary

For decades, glucosamine and chondroitin have been used for joint health and osteoarthritis. Today, science has discovered other supplements which may be better than this traditional approach. Thus, anyone concerned about joint health should research these other supplements, and seek guidance for choosing the right one for their particular condition and needs.

My own problems started when my children picked up a virus at school. I soon contracted the same virus, but with devastating effects! Although the actual virus didn't seem to trouble me too much, just a rash and a little tiredness, the weeks after my recovery saw a gradual stiffening of my wrists, then my fingers, and toes. In fact gradually all my "small" joints seemed to be susceptible to the inflammation. Gradually things got worse and the diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis was the frightening consequence.

For many years I took the prescribed painkillers and anti-inflammatories, before embarking on a journey of discovery, which in turn led me to the pain free life that I lead now. (without the aid of drugs or medicines)From a point of deep depression, I resolved to try and find a way to "cure" myself. I learnt many things about my condition, and the way that it could be treated. But best of all I found a way to rid my body of all the arthritic symptoms. There is no known cure for Arthritis in the medical world. The doctors will treat your condition accordingly with a cocktail of drugs. There are other ways to treat the condition, but the doctors seem to be totally reliant on the drug regime.

The 2 most well known types of Arthritis are "Osteo" and "Rheumatoid". Rheumatoid is where the body's own immune system attacks the joint lining, and Osteo is where the lining of the joint is worn away, and you have "naked" bone rubbing together. (Usually the result of an injury to the joint. Maybe a sports injury.)

In the U.S.A. alone, there are over 48 million sufferers of arthritis. This is an incredible figure, and is unfortunately increasing daily. It is a major cause of disability, and is second only to heart disease. In the work place it is a major cause of "work disability" and the relevant loss of revenue. In the U.K. it is a massive problem for the N.H.S. (National Health Service), as the number of cases rises, and the cost of the ever increasing dependency on drugs spirals almost out of control. Many people with arthritis think that they are beyond help and resign themselves to a life of pain and drug taking. But there is light at the end of the tunnel. A simple diet can help immensely, and in most cases eliminate the arthritis symptoms completely. You might think that this is too good to be true. I did as well! But "the proof of the pudding is in the eating" as they say. If you don't try you never will find out!

Some of the other forms of arthritis include, Lupus, Gout, Fibromyalgia and Ankylosing Spondylitis. If you think that you have any form of arthritis, it is important to treat it as early as possible so that you can avoid the permanent joint damage that is possible. The easiest way to diagnose the problem is with a visit to your doctor, who should give you a routine blood test. Having been diagnosed, it is up to you whether you take the route that the doctors will suggest, one of drugs. Or take the healthy eating route which can eliminate all the symptoms and let you lead a normal pain free (and drug free) life.

Technology has had a huge influence on natural health care products. In the past most people relied on home remedies to cure discomfort from things such as arthritis, colds, flu or sinus infections. Currently the technology has become so advanced that there are natural health products that really do work with the least amount of side effects. These products are available to you without leaving the comfort of your home. Some products out on the market today do more harm than good. Some products do not even actually cure your pain or illness but still put stress on your inner body which causes a person even more pain and illness. There are a wide variety of natural health care products that can help relieve pain and illness but you have to make sure you choose the right one for you.

Believe it or not, you can actually purchase some very effective natural health care products online and delivered right to your door. There are many online opportunities for you to purchase these good health care products of very high quality. They have a wide selection of products to choose from and the price is pretty much equal to everyone else. Most are strong enough to cure the pain that you will not have to have a prescription product. There are many new natural arthritis products about to hit the shelves in the very near future. People who suffer from arthritis pain now have an opportunity to relieve themselves of the pain of arthritis by purchasing a new natural arthritis healing products such as InflammaGo. InflammaGo reduces joint pain and stiffness due to arthritis, relieves inflammation in muscles and joints, and improves mobility and flexibility. They say that there are 23 million people who suffer from arthritis that were left without an arthritis pain relief product since Vioxx and Celebrex were taken off the shelves. Now there is an arthritis pain treatment that people can trust and is found in the online health industry.

These natural remedies can also help to support bones and cartilage and soothe inner membranes, helping to maintain "pain-free" joints. In fact, natural remedies have been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years to support the healthy functioning of joints and ligaments as well as tendons.